What's your favorite magazine genre?

What's your favorite magazine genre?

Maybe it's because I'm a career journalist, but I would guess this sort of thing happens to plenty of folks.

On birthdays and Christmas, I love to receive magazine subscriptions. Sometimes the periodicals people pick are perfect for my reading tastes. Sometimes, well ... it's the thought that counts.

I read all sorts of publications: crafts, fashion, gardening, how-to's, politics, popular interest, religion, sports and more. Just for fun. I took an online quiz on magazine tastes. Here's what it said:
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You Are a News Magazine

You are well informed and bright. You feel like you have to know what's going on in the world. You are savvy and serious. You don't like a lot of fluff or filler in your life. You are truly curious about people, ideas, and politics. You are very cosmopolitan. You can usually explain the news to your friends and family members. You have a broad understanding of what's happening.

What Kind of Magazine Are You?

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Do you love to read? What sort of magazine just jumps out at you, whenever you visit a newsstand? If you could pick a publication for a gift subscription, what would it be?

With Mother's Day coming up next weekend, wouldn't a sweet subscription be a great gift for Mom?

 

Zoom for Zucchini

 

Zoom for Zucchini

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

Z is for Zucchini.

OK, it’s a little early in the season for gardeners to rave about zucchini, but it’s Z-Day for the blogging challenge. So here we are.

Do you love fried zucchini? How about zucchini casserole with cheese sauce? Why not zucchini quiche (pictured here)? Or is fresh-baked zucchini bread your favorite?

Image/s:

Zucchini and Zucchini Pie - public domain photos

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Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

Y is for Yodeling.

OK, I admit it. Reaching the end of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I may be growing a little giddy. Perhaps even punchy.

Today is Y-Day, the 25^th consecutive day in the alphabetical array of daily posts.

Anyone else feel like yodeling?

Here’s yodeler Bobbejaan Schoepen with “The Cannonball Yodel.” (Are you intrigued yet?) Crank those speakers, if you dare.

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If that wasn’t annoying enough, c’mon back tomorrow to see what I have cooked up for Z-Day.

Or, if you are still game, check out Veggie Tales' "Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps."

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Yodel-odle-ay-hee-hoo!

Try it. You’ll feel better.

Image:

Public domain photo

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X Marks the Spot

X Marks the Spot

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

X is for …

Happy Easter!

 Image:

Resurrection, by Szymon Czechowicz (1758)

Public Domain - copyright expired

Familiarly, folks often abbreviate the word “Christ,” using the single letter “X.” X-mas (for Christmas) is the most common use of this shortened form.

Traditionalists may frown at this brevity, claiming it indicates a casual attitude towards the Holy One. However, some contend the “X” stands for the cross on which the Savior gave His own life for the sins of the world.

The Chi-Rho, an artistic combination of Greek letters, has historically stood as a sign for Christ. Perhaps the “X” is not as secular as some may suppose.

The cross, of course, is the central symbol of Christianity. Without the cross of Calvary and the ultimate sacrifice of the Lamb of God, there would be no Easter. If Jesus had not died, then His resurrection would not have occurred. And if the Lord had not been resurrected, then the Christian faith would not hold eternal hope.

On Easter, many believers bake and enjoy hot cross buns, with the frosted crosses serving as a reminder of the truth of faith and the miracle of the Messiah. Originating in England, these sticky and sweet home-baked yeast pastries are a perennial Holy Week treat, especially for Easter morning.

Hallelujah. He is risen! He is risen indeed.

Image:

Hot Cross Buns photo by Lausanne Morgan, USAF

US Government photo – public domain

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Weirdest Wives' Tales

Weirdest Wives' Tales

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

W is for Weird … and Wives’ Tales.

What’s an old wives’ tale?

So what’s the difference between an old wives’ tale and an urban legend? Is this anything like a fish story, a tall tale or a yarn?

Usually, an old wives’ tale involves instruction of some sort, whether true or not. Many old-time home remedies, pregnancy precautions, parenting instructions and superstitions may be traced to traditional wives’ tales.

Let’s look at some popular old wives’ tales.

1. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
2. Are your ears burning? If so, then someone is talking about you.
3. Don’t cross your eyes, or they might stick like that.
4. Don’t step on a crack, or you’ll break your mother’s back.
5. Hold your breath, while you drive past a cemetery.
6. If you kill a spider, it will rain.
7. If you swallow your bubblegum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years.
8. Open an umbrella indoors, and you will bring back luck.
9. Sitting too close to the TV can make you go blind.
10. Toads cause warts.

Do you believe any of these old wives’ tales?

What other old wives’ tales have you heard?

Image:

Conversation

by Camille Pissarro

1881

Public Domain – Copyright Expired

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Vital and Verdant

Vital and Verdant

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

V is for Vital and Verdant.

Today is Earth Day.

How will you celebrate this ecological and environmentally friendly event?

April 22^nd is Jelly Bean Day too.

By the way, today is also National Jelly Bean Day. Regardless of where Easter may appear on the Christian calendar each year, April 22^nd is always Jelly Bean Day. Rumor has it that this holiday dates back to the American Civil War (150 years ago), when folks would send jelly beans to soldiers.

Image:

Girl by a Flowering Hawthorn Bush

by Carl Larsson

Early 20th Century

Public Domain – Copyright Expired

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Upbeat Understanding

Upbeat Understanding

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

U is for Upbeat … and Understanding.

Today is April 21^st, and that means it’s National High Five Day in the U.S. 

People love praise – not flattery, which may be based on fiction or fable and usually comes with proverbial strings attached. A genuine compliment actually affirms the recipient, for it recognizes true effort.

Yesterday, for example, I received one of the most appreciated compliments I have ever had for one of my published pieces. Sure, a “good job” or a “nicely done” are always welcome. But I’ve never been compared to a legendary wordsmith before. (Thanks, Tracy V!)

Humans adore honor. Vitamin H may be biotin, but its counterpart may be another Vitamin H altogether … for Honor. Who doesn’t appreciate a solid pat on the back once in a while?

Here are some provocative quotations on praise and compliments for High Five Day.

Admonish your friends privately, but praise them openly.
Publilius Syrus

Great tranquility of heart is his who cares for neither praise not blame.
Thomas Kempis

Having the critics praise you is like having the hangman say you've got a pretty neck.
Eli Wallach

I love criticism just so long as it's unqualified praise.
Noel Coward

In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.
Saint Augustine

Many know how to flatter, few know how to praise.
Wendell Phillips

Praise out of season, or tactlessly bestowed, can freeze the heart as much as blame.
Pearl S. Buck

The sweetest of all sounds is praise.
Xenophon

You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand.
Leonardo da Vinci

Which quotes do you like the most? With which do you disagree?

To whom can you give kudos today?

Image:

High Five

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3^rd Class

Kenneth R. Hendrix

US Government Photo – Public Domain

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